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A fire that started on the front porch of a midtown house severely damaged the residence Friday afternoon.

No injuries were reported in the fire, which was reported about 1:20 p.m. at a three-story gray home at 634 S.W. Western.

The initial call indicated the house fire was at S.W. 7th and Tyler — three blocks east of the actual location.

When it became evident there wasn’t a fire at that address, first-arriving crews followed heavy smoke to the home that was on fire at the northeast corner of S.W. 7th and Western.

Smoke and flames were coming out of the front portion of the home, with fire damage along the south side of the residence that faced S.W. 7th.

Topeka Fire Department Investigator Alan Stahl said crews made a primary and secondary search of the residence and determined there was no one inside.

Crews then attacked the blaze on all three floors — from ground level to attic. Portions of the siding were pulled away as fire crews sprayed water into areas where the fire had penetrated. Firefighters also climbed a ladder to the front-porch roof, where they sprayed water into the home.

A grassy area on the south yard of the house also was scorched in the blaze.

After the fire was brought under control, crews continued looking for and extinguishing hot spots.

Stahl said the fire did “a significant amount of damage” to the residence, which neighbors said was occupied by a family with small children. The cause of the blaze remained undetermined Friday evening.

Firefighters removed a playpen filled with toys from the front portion of the home, setting it under a tree in the front yard.

Neighbors told firefighters a small puppy might be inside the residence, though it wasn’t immediately known whether the animal had been found.

Stahl estimated damage to the structure at $10,000 with another $2,000 damage to its contents.

According to the Shawnee County appraiser’s website, the home is owned by Octaviano Lopez. Its 2014 appraised value was $18,620.